Who’s All Going to Be There?

Sermon Title: Who’s All Going to Be There?

Prayer

Dear Father, speak Lord, for we are listening, in Jesus name Amen.

Introduction

Several years ago I was pastoring in a city and was invited to an event for pastors, politicians and city influencers.

I was made aware by the organizers of the event that each attendee could bring a plus one.

My wife was unable to join me for this event, so I invited a pastoral colleague to join me. When I asked that colleague if they would like to join me they responded with an intriguing question. They asked, Who’s all going to be there?

Now when he asked I was a little offended by the question because in my mind it didn’t matter who was going to be there. You should be privileged at the fact that I asked if you wanted to come.

But as I pondered on this question I recognized that this question is a little more valid than we give credit to.

See, I’m sure I am not the only one who have been asked this question. Matter of fact, you are probably one of those ones who asks the question.

But what I learned was that my colleague was asking this question to receive some vital information.

What you mean preacher?

Basically, the root of this question from my colleague was actually two things. One, is there anyone else in this community whom I may know, and number 2, is this event worth my time.

See church family, the reality is that as we have been discussing the idea of evangelism through the lens of throwing a party, we must recognize that we ought to be inviting and bringing people to this place to experience the transformation we believe is available here.

However, we must be ready to expect people to ask “Who’s All Going to Be There.” Now this question in most cases will not be asked literally, but people will ask this question through their body language and commitment.

See essentially what all people want is connection, celebration and life-changing experiences. And when we invite people to this place the wonder will be if what we are inviting them to will be relevant in connection, celebration and life-changing experiences that will be meaningful to their everyday life.

Transition

See as we scan throughout this world, we are seeing less and less of hope in the lives of people. Things are getting out of control in so many different areas of life.

And as Christians we have to be more honest with ourselves in today’s time. See we are living in a context where church isn’t an important thing to people anymore.

Church doesn’t have the positive connotations it had when many of us were growing up. People have lost not just hope in the society we live into today, but people have lost hope in the communities that say they represent God.

See the reality is that many of us as Christians fall into multiple categories of disappointments on other people. Many of us have been conduits of pain and hurt towards people in church. Many of us have chosen preference over people and we have wrongly represented who God is to others.

Then there are others of us who show up to this space, but haven’t experienced Jesus enough to know Him to be one who can transform our lives.

So when others interact or are around us either in the home, or on the job or in the mall or any type of place, they are wondering how is it that you serve this God who you say is off the chain but when I see you, you make life seem like it’s not worth living.

See essentially the hopeless can’t provide hope to the hopeless. I’m going to say that again, the hopeless can’t provide hope to the hopeless. If there were anything worse than hopelessness, its people of God who are hopeless.

And if you don’t get anything from this Party series I’ve been preaching over the past month, please at least get this. That is, in order for us to be a place where parties are thrown, we have to have experience Jesus in a way that will inspire us to want to party.

See in order for us to have a fire to see other people lives transformed, we must experience what it means to be transformed.

Background

And I believe here in the Gospel of Mark we are able to see the importance of being an inspired follower of Christ. See we’ve been in the Gospel of Mark for the past few weeks now, so you should have a good understanding of John Mark’s focus in this gospel.

See this gospel is written based on the results from what Mark learned from the apostle Peter. See Mark’s gospel is based on the lens of Peter’s experiences with Jesus.

And as Mark takes in what he is told he writes to his readers with a pinpoint message that Jesus is the Son of God and He can transform your life.

That’s why through this Gospel you are able to see miracle after miracle and often you see it in the context of this word called “Immediately.”

See Mark’s gospel is about the actions of Jesus. Mark wants you to see that Jesus is about that hope life. And as a result, Mark challenges us to fall in love with Christ and be a true disciple.

See Mark doesn’t tip toe his way around subjects. He clearly addresses that we are either for Christ or against Christ.

And what we see often in his gospel is that just because you claim to be a religious person doesn’t mean you are a follower of the Messiah.

And I believe that this message is relevant for us good ole church goers today. See being a follower of Christ isn’t proven in your church attendance or church position.

Being a follower of Christ isn’t evident in how well spoken you are or how well your memory works when it comes to reciting scripture.

Last time I checked, Satan was pretty good with quoting the scriptures.

So Mark challenges us to truly examine ourselves as followers of Christ to make sure we are in relationship with Christ and not with the things associated with Christ.

Explain us being in the last days…

What is happening in the Government.

What is happening in society (Hate, loneliness, hopelessness.)

What is happening personally.

And you’ve heard me say it every week now, if there was ever a time we need an on fire community of believers, it is now. Now is the time, we need followers of Jesus who are on fire for Him.

Now is the time, we need believers who are desperate for those who do not know the Lord to come in contact with Him.

See let me talk about it real quick. Jesus is relevant in 2025. I know we are living in a context where people think Jesus was a regular person who was very enlightened. I know we are living in a time where Jesus is just a financial scheme.

I know we are living in a time where Jesus is an insurance policy on hell. But I just want someone to know today, that Jesus is real. And if you really take the time to invest yourself and get to know Him, He will transform your life.

And in these last and evil days, we need followers of Christ who have experienced Jesus and are ready to see others experience Him. We need followers who make it a priority to see people in Indianapolis experience Jesus.

And the reality is, that we will not experience parties here that are worth people coming to, until we have had inspired personal encounters with Christ.

And here in Mark chapter 2, I believe we are able to find some powerful lessons in what happens when inspired people start invite and bring others to the party.

In other words, there are some jewels that this text can teach us when it comes down to bringing people to Jesus.

So the question must be asked today…

Subject:

What happens when inspired witnesses invite people to the party?

I’ve found three answers to this question that I want to share with you today. So, I invite you to take notes whether its on your phone, tablet or paper. Because we are not just hearers of the word, but we should desire to be doers of the word. So here we go.

What happens when inspired witnesses invite people to the party? Number 1…

Compliments:

They are focused on the mission.

Biblical Context

Jesus is back in Capernaum.

They hear he is at Peter’s house and the crowd comes.

Jesus is teaching the word.

Now look at what happens: Mark introduces us to this group who is escorting and bringing a man who is paralyzed. (Vs 3)

Personal Context

Whenever you hear where the presence of God is, we should want to be there.

Luke says, “And the Power of the Lord was with him to heal.”

Notice when Mark speaks on crowds in his gospel, they are not usually mention in light of positivity but negativity.

These men are carrying this man with anticipation and purpose.

Whenever we are in the presence of Jesus, the opportunity for transformation is around.

Sermon Context

When we are inspired and convicted of what Jesus can do in the lives of people we are laser focused on the goal for people to experience Him.

So, what happens when inspired witnesses invite people to the party? Number 1: They are focused on the mission.

But secondly…

2. They are flexible in their methods.

Biblical Context

They attempted to go through the regular and expected way it would be to get to Jesus. But they couldn’t get to him.

Because there is no way to get into the house and get to Jesus because of the crowd there is a decision these men have to make.

What should have stopped them became a canvas for creativity to achieve the goal.

They climb the home and tear up the roof.

Personal Context

There are times where God will allow Satan to drop barriers in between us and God.

Discuss barriers like depression, bills, and other issues.

Too often we allow these thing to detour us, but what if God is open up opportunities to do something we’ve never done before to get some things we’ve never had before.

Sermon Context

When we are so inspired by Christ and desire others to get to Him, we don’t allow barriers to stop us, because we are focused on the goal. These men recognize the they can’t do things in the way they had envision them.

Our methods for getting people to Jesus may have to change.

So, what happens when inspired witnesses invite people to the party? Number 2: They are flexible in their methods.

But thirdly…

3. They are fearless in their movement.

Biblical Context

The Bible says, when Jesus saw their faith.

Personal Context

Sermon Context

Close

For the Bible says, For when I am weak, He is strong,

The bible says, No weapon formed against me shall be able to prosper,

The Bible says, If God before me, than who can be against me,

The bible says, all things work together for the good of those who love Christ Jesus,

The Bible says, God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,

The bible says, my God shall supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory,

The Bible says, He’ll never leave you, nor forsake you,

The bible says, He gives power to the faint and to the weak He increases strength…

Even the youth shall faint and be weary and young men shall fall exhausted…

But they that wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall; mount up with wings as an eagle…

They shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint!

Appeal Song

Appeal